New Etihad A330-200 freighter makes first test flight

The new A330-200F will enhance significantly Etihad Crystal Cargo's capacity with its extensive range and a higher maximum payload. Etihad ordered the A330-200F at the 2007 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.

Des Vertannes, Etihad Airways' Executive Vice President cargo, said:

"The maiden test flight is always a special occasion for the launch operator and we are very proud to see the Etihad Crystal Cargo A330-200 freighter take to the skies. The A330-200F will make a major contribution to the expansion of Etihad Crystal Cargo as it can carry up to 69 metric tonnes of cargo and can fly up to 6,000 kilometres non-stop. This ensures we can continue to offer our customers the very highest levels of service and commitment."

John Leahy, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer - Customers said, "The efficient A330-200F is very well adapted to today's market dynamics of rising fuel prices and increased pressure on yields. The A330-200F is the right aircraft at the right time. We are at the eve of a market recovery, and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth."

With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 freighter aircraft and an MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 14 cargo freighter destinations, including Frankfurt Haan, Mumbai, Lagos, Colombo and Milan. It also operates bellyhold services on all Etihad Airways passenger flights.

About the A330-200 freighter:

• With a greater payload than initially anticipated, the A330-200F offers two operational configurations depending on the planned mission.

• The aircraft can carry more than 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles / 7,400km, or more than 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles / 5,930km - non-stop.

• With an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30% more volume than any freighter in its class.

• Compared with the passenger A330-200, this new purpose-designed freighter version has an increased maximum-zero-fuel weight (MZFW) of eight tonnes to allow for high-density cargo configuration transportation of 10lb/ft3.

• In addition, the aircraft features a reinforced fuselage plus new strengthened floor with a specially designed floor-grid for higher running loads.